Rakuraku Biwako: Difference between revisions

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| distance = {{convert|110.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| distance = {{convert|110.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = approx. 1 hr 28 mins (Ōsaka–Maibara)
| journeytime = approx. 1 hr 28 mins (Ōsaka–Maibara)
| frequency = 1 morning working from Maibara to Ōsaka <br /> 1 evening working from Ōsaka to Maibara <br /> 1 evening working from Ōsaka to Ogaki
| frequency = 1 morning working from Maibara to Ōsaka <br /> 1 evening working from Ōsaka to Maibara <br /> 1 evening working from Ōsaka to Kusatsu
| trainnumber =
| trainnumber =
| line_used = [[Tokaido Main Line]] ([[Biwako Line]] and [[JR Kyoto Line]])
| line_used = [[Tokaido Main Line]] ([[Biwako Line]] and [[JR Kyoto Line]])

Latest revision as of 15:19, 7 May 2024

Rakuraku Biwako
Overview
Service typeCommuter Limited Express
StatusOperational
PredecessorBiwako Liner
First service2 June 2003
Current operator(s)JR West
Route
TerminiOsaka
Kusatsu / Maibara
Distance travelled110.5 km (68.7 mi)
Average journey timeapprox. 1 hr 28 mins (Ōsaka–Maibara)
Service frequency1 morning working from Maibara to Ōsaka
1 evening working from Ōsaka to Maibara
1 evening working from Ōsaka to Kusatsu
Line(s) usedTokaido Main Line (Biwako Line and JR Kyoto Line)
On-board services
Class(es)Ordinary + Green
Disabled accessYes
Sleeping arrangementsNone
Catering facilitiesNone
Observation facilitiesNone
Entertainment facilitiesNone
Other facilitiesToilets
Technical
Rolling stock681 series EMUs, 683 series EMUs, KiHa 189 series DMUs
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC overhead
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph)
Track owner(s)JR West

The Rakuraku Biwako (らくラクびわこ, Rakuraku Biwako) is a commuter limited express train service operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) between Osaka and Maibara or Kusatsu in Japan since June 2003. It replaced the previous Biwako Liner services.[1]

Service pattern[edit]

As of March 2024, one weekday morning service (Rakuraku Biwako 1) runs from Maibara to Osaka, and two weekday evening services (Rakuraku Biwako 2 & 4) run from Osaka to Maibara and Kusatsu respectively, with the journey time from Osaka to Maibara taking approximately 1 hour 28 minutes.[2]

Rolling stock[edit]

Services were initially operated using the nine-car 681 series or 683 series EMUs used on Thunderbird services.[1]

  • A 683-4000 series EMU
    A 683-4000 series EMU
  • A KiHa 189 series DMU
    A KiHa 189 series DMU

Formations[edit]

Rakuraku Biwako 1 and 2[edit]

Rakuraku Biwako 1 and 2 (between Osaka and Maibara) are formed as follows, with car 1 at the Maibara end.[3]

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Accommodation Green Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved
  • Trains run as 9-car formations on certain days.[3]

Rakuraku Biwako 4[edit]

Rakuraku Biwako 4 (Osaka to Kusatsu) is formed as follows, with car 1 at the Osaka end.[4]

Car No. 1 2 3
Accommodation Reserved Reserved Reserved
Facilities     Wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • All cars are standard class and no-smoking.[4]
  • Trains run as 6-car formations during busy periods.[4]

History[edit]

The Biwako Express service was introduced from 2 June 2003.[5]

The service was made entirely no-smoking from 1 June 2009.[6]

The service started calling at Minami-Kusatsu Station,[7] and all seats become reserved[8] from 13 March 2021.

Effective the 16 March 2024 timetable revision, all services were renamed to Rakuraku Biwako. At the same time, 9-car 683 series sets operated on this service were replaced with 6-car 681 or 683 series sets.[9]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b JR新幹線しんかんせん＆特急とっきゅう列車れっしゃファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 2008. p. 40. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. ^ "より便利べんりになる通勤つうきん特急とっきゅうを「らくラク～」シリーズに統一とういつします" [Unification of the more convenient commuter express trains into the "Rakuraku" series.] (PDF). West Japan Railway Company (in Japanese). Japan. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b "らくラクびわこ (車両しゃりょう案内あんない)". jr.odekake.net (in Japanese). Japan. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b c JR時刻じこく表ひょう [JR Timetable] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. March 2016. pp. 110, 985.
  5. ^ 特急とっきゅう｢びわこエクスプレス」の運転うんてん、 特急とっきゅう｢はるか｣の米原まいばら延長えんちょう運転うんてんの開始かいし [Start of Biwako Express limited express service and extension of Haruka services to Maibara]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 11 October 2003. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  6. ^ 在来ざいらい線せん特急とっきゅう列車れっしゃなどの全席ぜんせき禁煙きんえん化かならびに在来ざいらい線せんホームの禁煙きんえん化かの拡大かくだいについて [Complete ban of smoking on limited express trains and station platforms]. News release (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  7. ^ "2021年ねん3月がつ13日にちにダイヤ改正かいせいを実施じっしします" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). 西日本旅客鉄道にしにほんりょかくてつどう近畿きんき統括とうかつ本部ほんぶ. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  8. ^ "「e5489チケットレスサービス」（在来ざいらい線せん）の拡充かくじゅうおよび特急とっきゅう列車れっしゃ指定してい席せきの拡大かくだいについて" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). 西日本旅客鉄道にしにほんりょかくてつどう. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  9. ^ "JR西日本にしにほん、近畿きんきエリアを走はしる通勤つうきん特急とっきゅうは「らくラク」シリーズに統一とういつ" [JR West Unifies Rakuraku Limited Express Services]. MyNavi Corporation (in Japanese). 3 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rakuraku_Biwako&oldid=1222722310"